Allergic

The immune system helps a person battle potentially dangerous bodily invaders such as bacteria and viruses. In some people, however, the immune system overreacts, and the person experiences symptoms after coming into contact with non-harmful substances. Some allergic reactions are minor, while others are more severe. In the novel, Maggie’s reactions are severe for an animal allergy but less severe than other allergies, like some food allergies, which can prove fatal.

Maggie has a severe reaction to animals that have fur or feathers. Her eyes itch, her nose runs, she sneezes, and she develops a strong itch. These are all typical allergy symptoms, but as her doctor tells her, they’re particularly strong for her type of allergy. Many people have much milder reactions to animal dander. The allergy symptoms themselves are caused by histamine, which is a substance that the allergy cells release. This is why people sometimes take antihistamines when they have an allergic reaction: These medications fight the released histamines.

In the novel, Maggie undergoes allergy tests. These tests help determine what a person is allergic to. During the tests, a medical professional marks various parts of the person’s body and then scratches each section with a different allergen. The patient waits a set amount of time, and the medical professional then checks the patient’s reactions. The larger the reaction at a scratch site, the more severe the allergy. Next, Maggie (like many people) starts allergy shots. These shots expose a person to increasing levels of an allergen to acclimate the body to it, which can lessen the severity of the reaction, thus helping alleviate symptoms.

Maggie uses a nasal spray and eye drops for her allergies. Other people take oral medications. Some, however, like Sebastian, are at risk of anaphylaxis, a very severe reaction to an allergen (usually a food). The symptoms of anaphylaxis are so extreme that they can lead to death if not treated immediately. Thus, people at risk of anaphylaxis, like Sebastian (who is allergic to eggs), must carry an epinephrine injection pen, or epi-pen, in case they inadvertently consume or come in contact with their trigger allergen. The epi-pen provides lifesaving medication to help keep a person’s airway open and reduce other severe symptoms (such as hives and low blood pressure) until the person receives emergency medical treatment. Either the person who has the allergy or another person can administer the shot.